Oberlin approves participation in opioid settlement

Oberlin City Council voted to approve an ordinance for the city to participate in the $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family, regarding the manufacturing and distribution of opioids — pain-killing drugs that have added to the nation's drug overdose epidemic. According to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, local governments across the nation have been asked to join the opioid settlement, which is subject to the approval of a federal bankruptcy judge. During Monday night's meeting before the vote was taken, Oberlin interim-City Manager Jon Clark noted the importance of the community joining the settlement. "This is something that I think Council should approve so that we could get the documents signed," Clark said, adding that the portion of the settlement given to the state of Ohio is set to be "divided among the state and political subdivisions. Approximately $60 million would go to local state governments." Oberlin's action comes after Attorney General Yost, along with the attorneys general of 49 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories, signed on to a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family in June. At the time, Yost said in a statement that the decision was to address the harm caused by the opioid epidemic. "This is another major step toward accountability and recovery," Yost said in the statement. "The money won't undo the damage, but it will help communities in Ohio and elsewhere continue to address and overcome the unspeakable harm." On Monday night, Oberlin officials echoed Yost's statements. "The settlement could help by providing funds to put together programs … community agencies that help support people maybe who are in recovery," from opioid addiction, said Oberlin Council President Eboni Johnson. "Any funding from that settlement could help kind of beef up our efforts to keep our community safe." In his memo to City Council, Clark noted the impact of Purdue Pharma's and the Sackler family's work. "Purdue manufactured and marketed opioid products for decades, contributing to the most significant drug crisis in American history," Clark wrote. "The settlement will end the Sacklers' control of Purdue and will bar them from selling opioids in the United States." According to both Clark and Yost, the state of Ohio and local governments throughout the state will receive $198 million from the agreement. Those settlement funds will be distributed over the next 15 years and will be aimed at supporting addiction treatment, prevention and recovery services, according to Clark's memo. Clark said that, in order for Oberlin to participate in the settlement, the city will need to submit forms no later than Sept. 30, 2025. Earlier this month, OneOhio Recovery Foundation — the organization directed by the state of Ohio to distribute 55 percent of the settlement funds — voted to approve a $40 million regional grants budget, which will be used to fund prevention, treatment and recovery grants for communities across Ohio. Of the approved funding to be distributed, Region 19 — which includes Lorain County — is set to receive more than $3 million. Contact Garrett Looker at glooker@chroniclet.com